So Then We Got a Dog {Orange County Photographer}

The last two months have been insane.  Like, Mommy’s-Packing-This-Big-Bag-Because-She’s-Losing-It-And-Moving-to-a-Cave-Now-Go-Eat-Some-Fruit-Snacks-Mmmmkay? insane.

We bought our first home (yay!) and moved (boo!).  Moving is … hard.  And a lot of work.  And, also, might I add, A LOT OF WORK.  All the packing, and sorting, and utility junk, and bills and school changes and work on the new home, etc. etc. etc.  It’s a lot … and with three kiddos, it is even more.  Because on top of everything else, I am in mommy-mode; trying to make a smooth transition for them … they are leaving their old home, old neighborhood, old friends and old school.  And my mama gut feels bad and guilty like I am sending them to live in an orphanage/prison/assylum instead of giving them a backyard.

And so.  We got them a puppy.  The day before we moved. Because SURELY (!!!) nothing on earth will make this all go much smoother and easier than an animal to pee all over the place, dig up the new carpet and wake up 3 times a night to … pee all over the place.

And that is how Scout Finn Sweetie Octopus joined our family.  And I have to say … it’s like he was always here.  (That is a fine indicator of the chaos that ensues consistently in our home).

(Above photos were taken by my brilliant friend, and world renowned pet photographer, Melissa Palomo.)

The kids obviously fell in love with him the minute they spotted the furry surprise under our bushes.  As they days went on, their love grew in surprising ways:
Day one: OMG WE HAVE A PUPPY I LOVE HIM HE IS SO CUTE AND MY NEW BEST FRIEND FOREVER!
Day three:  I love our puppy!  Mom, he peed on the floor.
Day six:  No, Scout!  Mom, he’s biting me.
Day nine:  WAAAAAAHHHHH!!!  (tears plus puncture wound)
Day twelve:  OMG HE IS COMING THIS WAY EEEEE EEEEE EEEEEE, AAAAAHHH!  GET HIM AWAY!!! 

Soon, my visions of this:

Had transformed into a reality of this:

Jake, Grace and Nathan spending hours perched on top of the furniture, hiding and protecting each other from certain bloodshed.  Just what I anticipated when I picked up that cute timid furball for the first time.

Matt and I watched the Dog Whisperer and wondered why he wears such tight shirts?  did a lot of consulting and research, and found some ways to keep Scout’s vicious rampages to a minimum.  The kids are back to loving him more than they are terrified of him (like, a 60-30 ratio).

We’re still adjusing.

Having a puppy is like having another child.  He isn’t potty trained, he puts everything in his mouth, he talks back, and only likes me when I am feeding him.  It’s like we adopted a cross between a two year old and a teenager. 

And he will cut you if you interrupt digging time.

But I love him and am generally obsessed with him …  I never really got the “dog people” until I became one.  Now, I think about him when making plans, worry about his  diet/exercise/brain stimulus and pass an aisle at Target and think “Ohemgeee!  Scout would look so cute in this dog poncho + sombrero combo!”  Yes, I even fall for the dog clothes.  DOG CLOTHES, PEOPLE.  

I’m not the only one who has fallen for him …

And all I have to say about that, is “You said no to number 4, remember?”

Honestly, Scout has been a gift.  I walk around our home, and smile when I hear his paws following me.  We come home from school or doing errands, and everyone runs to him like the tree on Christmas morning.  I snuggle him at night, and don’t care when he licks my open mouth, is that TMI?  face.  I wake up to him whining for food, and my thoughts of SHUTUPITISFIVEOCLOCK! turn to mush when I see his sweet cocked head looking at me through the wires of his crate.

We love him so much.  And he loves us.

We think.